Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 2nd May 2016, 08:09 AM   #1
taube
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 45
Default Unknown Knife

Gentlemen,

this knife came form an antiques dealer in Southern Germany.
It has some features of professional production.
Despite intense research, I cannot find any hints on its posssible origins.
Someone said it resembles a "Landknechtsmesser".
Could be ethno, European peasantry or simply self made or ...?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
taube.

The rulerīs units are centimeters.
Attached Images
    

Last edited by taube; 2nd May 2016 at 04:39 PM.
taube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd May 2016, 06:01 PM   #2
corrado26
Member
 
corrado26's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Black Forest, Germany
Posts: 1,204
Default

I think that this knife is a selfmade item, not too old, probably 20th century. The six edged pommel looks like a modern nut and in case that the south German dealer's name starts with an "F" it is certainly not old.
corrado26
corrado26 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd May 2016, 06:39 PM   #3
Bob A
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 427
Default

The sheath doesn't look home-made to me, and its covering is the same leather as on the hilt.

It's a nice, brutal-looking piece of work, whatever it may be.
Bob A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd May 2016, 06:42 PM   #4
Tim Simmons
Member
 
Tim Simmons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,806
Default

Looks like a WW1 trench knife. In the UK many simple trench knives were made by established cutlers. I cannot see why it would have differed in Germany. I like the simple confident directness and there is style too.
Tim Simmons is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd May 2016, 06:46 PM   #5
Shakethetrees
Member
 
Shakethetrees's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 363
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Simmons
Looks like a WW1 trench knife. In the UK many simple trench knives were made by established cutlers. I cannot see why it would have differed in Germany. I like the simple confident directness and there is style too.

Yes, too workmanlike to be a home made job. Especially the scabbard, which can be more difficult to do than a knife!

I like it but I think the date could be pushed back a little, maybe late 19th century-WWII.
Shakethetrees is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd May 2016, 07:01 PM   #6
colin henshaw
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,430
Default

Interesting piece, it has a simple brutality which I guess is what knives are all about. I agree could be a WW1 trench knife...
colin henshaw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 2nd May 2016, 10:02 PM   #7
drac2k
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,230
Default

Maybe Chinese? Boxer Rebellion? The Germans had a presence in China at that time.
drac2k is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd May 2016, 08:00 AM   #8
Tim Simmons
Member
 
Tim Simmons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,806
Default

Good suggestion there is semblance to Chinese knife forms. It appears to have a military design made to hang from a clip of some kind , like some army belts.
Tim Simmons is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd May 2016, 08:48 AM   #9
taube
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 45
Default

Thanks very much for all the input!
I will have to dig deeper in some directions.

Enclosed another detail shot.

Best,
taube.
Attached Images
 
taube is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd May 2016, 02:45 PM   #10
Tim Simmons
Member
 
Tim Simmons's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,806
Default

Another possibility is Spanish, from the civil war. The blade is like many Spanish knives and the Spanish bayonet scabbard has that nipple shape on the metal end piece of the scabbard. Just thoughts on a military and cultural mix in design?

Another thought South America, Argentina?
Tim Simmons is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3rd May 2016, 09:56 PM   #11
josh stout
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 407
Default

I see the resemblance to what are sometimes called "Chinese Bowie knives" but it is not one of them.
josh stout is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4th May 2016, 12:22 AM   #12
Shakethetrees
Member
 
Shakethetrees's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 363
Default

The scabbard is of European design and manufacture.
Shakethetrees is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5th May 2016, 09:45 AM   #13
Henk
Member
 
Henk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 1,209
Default

My first thought was a trench knife. Spanish civil war like Tim said is very good possible too. I think you have to look in those two directions.
Henk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 7th May 2016, 02:59 PM   #14
Sajen
Member
 
Sajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 8,761
Default

Another vote for a WWI trench knife/dagger.
Sajen is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:14 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.